| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Program | CTI Evaluation |
| Result | PASSED ✅ |
| Risk-to-Reward | Strict 1:3 Target |
| Relative Drawdown | Under 4% (maintained over 11 months) |
| Trading Style | Swing Trading (Patient approach) |
| Strategy | Structure-based with Fibonacci levels |
| Stop Loss Discipline | Structured lows with 5-pip buffers |
| Scaling Goal | $4,000,000 Portfolio Manager |
| Why CTI? | Flexible 12-month evaluation window |
| Validation | ✅ Validated by CTI Risk Team |
The Early Struggles of a Beginner Trader
In this interview, we meet Harry, a business student from Zimbabwe studying in China, who shares his journey to becoming a successful trader. Harry discovered trading in 2019 and, like many beginners, started without the proper guidance, downloading MT4 and diving in headfirst. However, his initial attempts at trading were marked by frustration and losses. After a year of trial and error, Harry realized the importance of proper mentorship and found a guide who helped him refine his strategy.https://youtu.be/PcVgm9J05LM
Finding Mentorship and Refining His Strategy
Harry describes his transition into a swing trading strategy, focusing on a combination of technical analysis and fundamentals, including the Commitment of Traders (COT) report. He uses impulse and correction patterns, Fibonacci retracement levels, and multi-timeframe analysis from the monthly down to the H4 chart to find his ideal entries and exits. Patience is a crucial aspect of Harry’s strategy, as he carefully waits for his setups, using EMA crossovers and the MACD to confirm trades.
Discovering CTI: The Key to Patience and Success
A critical moment for Harry came when he discovered City Traders Imperium (CTI). The flexibility of CTI’s evaluation period—offering a full year to hit targets—allowed Harry the time to breathe and truly master his strategy. With the pressure off, Harry was able to take calculated risks and manage his trades without the rushed feeling he experienced with other firms.
A Patient Swing Trading Strategy: From Monthly to H4
Harry’s ability to manage risk effectively was key to his success. His strategy revolves around keeping his losses small and letting his winners run, ensuring a strong risk-reward ratio. Throughout the 11 months of his evaluation, he maintained a low drawdown and remained patient, taking fewer but more precise trades. His approach emphasizes the importance of sticking to your plan, even during periods of drawdown or losses, and having the discipline to step away from the charts when necessary.
Managing Risk and Staying Calm During Drawdowns
CTI’s structure, particularly the clear rules around risk management and relative drawdown, helped Harry sharpen his skills and improve as a trader. Now, as a portfolio manager with a much larger account, Harry is excited to continue his journey, aiming to scale his trading up to the $4 million mark.
